JOIN USWalk to generate power
The prototype ‘Footstep power generating device’ has been developed by final year students of Vidyavardhaka College of Engineering — Dinesh Chandra Verma, Vijay Kumar, Rahul Singh and Harish Kumar T — under the guidance of assistant professor D V Satish.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, Vijay Kumar said the prototype comprises of a plate and connecting rods. Whenever, pressure is exerted on the plate, the connecting rods are pushed downwards.
Subsequently, a DC motor fitted to the rods rotates causing generation of electrical energy.
Citing an example, Vijay Kumar said, “If this prototype is installed in a subway, where a large number of people climb steps, the energy generated can either be stored or even used for lighting purpose.”
If a person steps on the prototype 700 times, students say it can recharge a mobile phone for more than three hours.
As the students want this prototype to be installed at places where a large number of people gather, they have added a three-way switch using which the energy can either be stored in a battery or connected to a direct power line.
The group believes that if such devices are embedded in places where there is continuous human presence such as railway stations or bus stands, the electrical energy generated can be used to even power streetlights.